We have a nice sized nine-game slate to work with this evening, with a couple of really nice matchups that should provide some very high scoring games. There are a plethora of superstars available on the slate tonight with Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid headlining. With so many studs available for selection tonight it’ll be very important to identify the best matchups so you can choose the right one. There also are some nice value plays, which will be mixed into the below highlighted players. I’ll list out two players for each position, with the exception of one center. These two players listed for each position will highlight who I believe will have the best chance to get you into the green.
Minnesota has the Lakers tonight, which is a matchup I’ll be keying in on as the spread is just one point with an over/under set at 238.5, so a high scoring, close game should provide us plenty of opportunity for fantasy production. James and Giannis do draw tough defensive assignments (Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard respectively) so if there was ever a time to fade them it seems like it could tonight. Let’s jump right into it here and as always good luck!
We have a nice sized nine-game slate to work with this evening, with a couple of really nice matchups that should provide some very high scoring games. There are a plethora of superstars available on the slate tonight with Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid headlining. With so many studs available for selection tonight it’ll be very important to identify the best matchups so you can choose the right one. There also are some nice value plays, which will be mixed into the below highlighted players. I’ll list out two players for each position, with the exception of one center. These two players listed for each position will highlight who I believe will have the best chance to get you into the green.
Minnesota has the Lakers tonight, which is a matchup I’ll be keying in on as the spread is just one point with an over/under set at 238.5, so a high scoring, close game should provide us plenty of opportunity for fantasy production. James and Giannis do draw tough defensive assignments (Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard respectively) so if there was ever a time to fade them it seems like it could tonight. Let’s jump right into it here and as always good luck!
Check out today’s NBA Shot from FanDuel
Point Guard
Jeff Teague (MIN): $6,600 vs LAL
First on the list tonight is Jeff Teague who comes in at a modest $6,600. As mentioned above I’ll be keying the Lakers vs Timberwolves game due to the high implied total and the close point spread. He is off to a bit of a slow start offensively this season, but has still managed to average 10 points on just 33 percent shooting. Positive regression should be coming for a player who is a career 44 percent shooter and it’s very possible a matchup with the Lakers could be the one to get him back on track. In the meantime his assist totals have helped buoy his fantasy production, averaging almost eight assists per game. Tonight offers a matchup where he could reach over 20 points, which he’s done two times this season. Tonight will be a good opportunity for Teague who carries double-double upside.
Stephen Curry (GSW): $9,800 at CHI
Steph draws a really nice matchup this evening against a bad Bulls team with injury trouble at the point guard position. Curry will be matched up with a backup (most like Cameron Payne) and he should absolutely have his way. On top of the matchup, Curry has been taking a ton of shots this season averaging 21 shot attempts per game, shooting over 50 percent from the field and from beyond the arc. It’s a very safe bet those numbers will be attainable tonight in a plus matchup against a bad team that ranks just 22nd in defense against the position. Only two potential negatives are his assist totals lacking this season (averaging just four per game) and the potential for a blowout. However, look for Curry to be involved early and often to get the Warriors off to a good start. His season average of 34 points per game is definitely achievable tonight.
Shooting Guard
Damyean Dotson (NYK): $5,200 vs BKN
This is a new name for many as Dotson has just appeared on fantasy radars within the past week. Since he’s been on the radar though he’s hit at least 20 FanDuel points in all four games, exceeding the 40 point threshold one time with a 20 point, 10 rebound double-double. Dotson does draw a BKN team that ranks fifth against the shooting guard position, but finds his name on this list due to his recent hot play. He’s scored in double-figures in all four games he’s appeared in and is averaging over six rebounds per game. He offers a solid value coming in at a cap-friendly $5,200 and offers a nice option if you’re looking to fade the top players at the position this evening.
Jimmy Butler (MIN): $9,400 vs LAL
Butler will come into this fantastic matchup on full rest and we should see the benefit of that. Butler draws a matchup with the Lakers tonight who rank 17th against the position. Outside of Friday’s nightmare, Butler has scored at least 20 points in every game and is averaging three rebounds, two assists and two steals per game. He offers something in every statical category and doesn’t just need scoring to support his fantasy production, which means his upside is really high. Minnesota has an implied total of 119 points tonight, which means there will be plenty of offensive opportunity tonight for Butler who seems like he’s on a mission to prove himself this season.
Small Forward
Kawhi Leonard (TOR): $9,800 at MIL (Out tonight due to rest)
Kawhi finds himself on this list as a multi-use player who can fill up the box score in all five categories. He gets a Milwaukee team that ranks 14th against the position, but he does sport the highest usage rate on the team, a whopping five percent more than the second player. He’s scored at least 20 points in each game he’s played in this season and has added averages of five rebounds, two assists and almost two steals per game. With a point spread of just one point, this game should be close, which means Leonard’s usage should be there right up until the end. His is priced nicely and is definitely a good option tonight if you’re looking to fade LeBron James and Giannis because of their matchups (Giannis will draw Kawhi’s defense and LeBron will draw Jimmy Butler).
Tyreke Evans (IND): $5,300 vs POR
Tyreke is a bit of a roll of the dice tonight, but has been playing well of late and could be a good value option in a game where Indiana has an implied total of 112 points. Evans has averaged nine points, two rebounds and two assists per game, which aren’t mind-blowing numbers but he has exceeded 30 FanDuel points in two of the past three games. Evans is second on the team in usage rate behind only Victor Oladipo so he carries upside for some offensive firepower tonight. When he’s logged over 20 minutes in a game he’s scored at least 10 points and grabbed three rebounds in all those games. So if you’re looking for a bit of cap relief at the small forward position Evans could be your guy.
Power Forward
Taj Gibson (MIN): $5,300 vs LAL
Gibson is the third member of the T-Wolves to find his way on this list because of the matchup tonight. Gibson gets the Lakers who rank just 27th in defense against the position. It should be easy for Gibson to get value tonight as he’s reached at least 20 FanDuel points in five straight games now. He should get some easy inside scoring and rebounding going against the young Kyle Kuzma. Gibson has scored at least 10 points in three straight and four of the past five games. He’s playing well right now and getting the Lakers tonight should help continue that trend.
Kyle Kuzma (LAL): $5,900 at MIN
On the flip side of the Taj Gibson pick is Kuzma. Kuzma ranks second on the Lakers in usage rate behind only LeBron James, and is three percentage points higher than third on the team. Meaning he is solidly being used as the second option on the Lakers offense. James will draw the defense of Jimmy Butler more than likely so may be looking to dish off more than attack tonight. Kuzma will draw the steady defense of Taj Gibson and while the T-Wolves do rank first against the power forward position there should be enough opportunity for Kuzma to succeed. He’s also been playing very well this season getting at least 20 FanDuel points in every game, which means he wouldn’t need much more to get value tonight. He’s also exceeded 30 FD points in two of the past four games. In a game where the Lakers have an implied total of 119 points, there will be plenty to go around. Even against the tough defense of Gibson he should still see enough opportunity to succeed tonight in a high-scoring game.
Center
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN): $8,800 vs LAL
Towns is in line to get huge value tonight in a very good matchup with the Lakers. They rank 21st against the center position so Towns should have his way against a Lakers defense that ranks 21st against the position. Towns has averaged 18 points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game this season. Towns carries a ton of upside and will probably draw the defense of JaVale McGee, which he should dominate. Last time Towns played in a game that had a very high total of points was against the Dallas Mavericks and he finished with 31 points and five rebounds totaling 46 FanDuel points. It’s very possible he reaches that level again tonight, which makes his affordable salary even more worth it.
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Chris Berg is a correspondent at FantasyPros. You can follow him on Twitter @bergey13.